G--NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE ORDER TO the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Inc.

GovWorks, Procurement Operations Branch, U. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, in support of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Minority Health, is the contracting office for this procurement. The DHHS is joining with and providing funds to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Inc., to develop a five-year comprehensive action plan for a pilot faculty/student fellowship program for the 45 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) / Minority Institution members. The development of the Pilot Program will be a 12 month period of performance. The DHHS seeks to improve the ability of educational institutions to service racial/ethnic minorities and to develop an action agenda to address health and human service concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islanders. All of these activities are related to the Department's efforts to respond to presidential executive orders. This comprehensive plan should involve a focus on career tracks involving health-related areas, biology and social sciences and center on (1) best practices through faculty exchange, (2) cutting edge research, and (3) curriculum and program enhancement. This plan should address program goals, methods, implementation, and management considerations. The methodology should clarify program goals for mentees, HBCUs, and for the African American community and greater society. It should also describe opportunities for meaningful problem-solving discussions between talented TMSF college faculty, scholars and Federal/private agency staff. The desired outcome of this program is that: (1) solutions to enhance the country's critical health and human service issues are identified, (2) academic success and competitiveness of faculty at selective HBCUs are enhanced, and (3) the TMSF will serve as a pipeline for new minority talent joining the workforce and for member faculty who may serve as resources to the Federal and private sectors. It is expected that this program will enhance the ability of TMSF member institutions to continue to bridge the gaps in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities and the development of a diverse workforce. The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund is widely recognized within academic, government, and African American communities for its history in providing supplemental assistance in the form of merit-based scholarships and programmatic support to students attending HBCUs, capacity building support to its 45 member schools, intern and mentorship programs, and leadership training and support to students preparing for undergraduate and professional schools. It remains a vital player in the arena of health and education policy impacting minority populations in this nation. This requirement is being issued by GovWorks under the franchise authority of the Department of the Interior on behalf of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items. The Government intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund for this procurement. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities or submit quotes. This is not a request for competitive quotes. However, the Government will consider all quotes received no later than Dec 16, 2002, at 2pm. POC: Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, MMS, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden St., MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170. Questions must be emailed to Jane M. Carlson at the following email address: contact@example.gov. Telephonic questions or requests will not be accepted.